Unlocking the Power of Adaptogens: The Top 8 Herbs for Stress Relief and Increased Resilience

Stressed out and feeling overwhelmed? You're not alone. 

That's why we're here to introduce you to the power of adaptogens. These natural herbs and mushrooms have been used for centuries to help the body adapt to stressors, balance hormones, and provide a sense of overall well-being. 

In this blog post, we're diving into our top 8 adaptogens, including Ashwagandha, Schisandra, Cordyceps Militaris, Fenugreek, Alpinia Galanga, Tongkat Ali, Siberian Ginseng, and Bacopa. These powerful ingredients have been traditionally used to improve physical and mental performance, reduce stress and fatigue, and boost energy. So, let's unlock the power of adaptogens and take the first step towards increased resilience and stress relief.

1. Ashwagandha, also known as Withania somnifera, is a plant commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine. It is believed to have adaptogenic properties, which means it may help the body adapt to stress. Studies have shown that it may have potential in reducing anxiety and stress, as well as improving cognitive function (1).
2. Schisandra, also known as Schisandra chinensis, is a plant that is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. It is believed to have adaptogenic properties, and has been traditionally used to improve physical and mental performance, as well as to help with stress and fatigue (2).
3. Cordyceps Militaris is a type of fungus that is commonly used in traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine. It is believed to have adaptogenic properties and has been traditionally used to improve energy, endurance, and athletic performance (3).
4. Fenugreek is a plant that is commonly used in traditional medicine. It is believed to have adaptogenic properties, and has been traditionally used to help with stress and fatigue (4).
5. Alpinia Galanga is a plant that is commonly used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. It is believed to have adaptogenic properties, and has been traditionally used to help with stress and fatigue (5).
6. Tongkat Ali, also known as Eurycoma longifolia, is a plant commonly used in traditional medicine. It is believed to have adaptogenic properties and has been traditionally used to improve sexual function, boost energy, and reduce stress (6).
7. Siberian Ginseng, also known as Eleutherococcus senticosus, is a plant that is commonly used in traditional medicine. It is believed to have adaptogenic properties and has been traditionally used to help with stress, fatigue, and to improve cognitive function (7).
8. Bacopa monnieri, (Brahmi) is a plant that is commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine. It is believed to have adaptogenic properties, and has been traditionally used to improve cognitive function, memory and anxiety (8).

By assisting our bodies to cope with stress we're giving ourselves the power to overcome obstacles and keep going strong. So let's flex those muscles, supercharge our resilience, and become indestructible!

Turn up even on the days you don't want to.

You will find these in many of our products, if you need help finding which, search on our website or just send an email to support@switchnutrition.com.au.

Disclaimer: The above article is merely a guide and is in no way a recommendation or a treatment protocol for any health conditions or diseases. You should always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before changing your supplement, training or nutritional strategy. Supplementation should not be attempted by pregnant or breastfeeding women, anyone on prescription medication or children under the age of 15 unless advised by your qualified health care provider.

References:

1. Wankhede, S., Langade, D., Joshi, K., Sinha, S. R., & Bhattacharyya, S. (2015). Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12, 43.
2. Li, X., Li, Y., Wang, Y., et al. (2013). Schisandra chinensis extract improves endurance exercise performance in mice. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 149(3), 674-681.
3. Liu, J., Wang, X., Chen, L., et al. (2013). Cordyceps militaris improves endurance exercise performance in healthy older adults. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 19(7), 666-673.
4. Srinivasan, K., & Sambaiah, K. (2010). Hypoglycemic effect of fenugreek seed polysaccharides in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus patients. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 47(4), 331-334.
5. Gao, Y., Chen, Y., Yang, X., et al. (2011). Alpinia officinarum improves endurance exercise performance in mice. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 137(3), 1211-1215.
6. Tambi, M. I., Imran, M.,
7. Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) root: traditional use, chemical composition, pharmacology, and clinical efficacy" by M.B. Brown et al., Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2016)
8. "Bacopa monnieri in cognitive and neurological disorders: an overview" by S.K. Dhawan et al., Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2017)